130 SPORT AND TRAVEL PAPERS 



tigers, of which there were many about, would not kill the lovely 

 plump young bullocks we provided so liberally for their breakfast. 

 Our conduct could not have been more polite or considerate, for 

 to save his royal majesty all possible trouble, we even fastened 

 what we hoped might prove an acceptable plat to a tree, so that 

 it could not run away, and near some shady spot where it might 

 be enjoyed and digested in peace, with running water to wash it 

 down close at hand. What could a tiger want more? But 

 evidently there was something wrong, for many times had tigers 

 closely examined our bullocks, and even offered to play with 

 them poor brutes ! and performed a pas-de-seul for their edifica- 

 tion, to judge from, in shikari language, the " margs " around. 

 What could be the reason of this behaviour, so fatal to our 

 tempers ? It was very puzzling, but at last we knew. A more 

 or less fair damsel, clothed in most brilliantly gorgeous raiment 

 of every colour, loaded with rings in nose and ears, on wrists 

 and ankles, and learned in tiger lore, appeared one morning and 

 divulged the secret. This parti-coloured brinjarri (gipsy) wood- 

 nymph at once explained the to us apparently extraordinary 

 behaviour of these tigers by calmly stating that their mouths 

 had not been opened ! How simple it was ! Of course, no 

 animal can eat with its mouth shut. " Poor tigers, how thin they 

 must be ! " was feelingly remarked. However, on further inquiry, 

 we found that the latter need not greatly distress us, for the 

 brinjarries, to save their herds, had closed the tigers' mouths 

 against cattle only ; they were still at liberty to eat pork and 

 venison, but beef was forbidden. We pleaded that the tigers 

 might be allowed a more liberal and varied diet, and at last the 

 damsel offered, for a present, to see what could be done. On 

 the following day, after old Cooch-ne had made his usual report, 

 our growling and grumbling was suddenly echoed by a long wail, 

 followed by other heartrending sounds from many throats, 

 becoming gradually louder and more distinct as the voices 

 slowly approached. Presently appeared a whole lot of brinjarrie 

 women all clothed in the brightest dresses, apparently made 

 from what I believe ladies would call remnants, and all 

 be-ringed, keeping step to a most mournful air more suggestive 

 of a funeral than the dance they presently commenced. " They 

 doing poojah, to open tiger's mouth," explained our boy. " He 

 certainly would shut his ears were he here to hear," irreverently 



